Page 29 of Creole Kingpin
Dipping my chin for her to continue, I feel a sliver of relief pass through me.
Okay. This is a promising start.
Another card represents my question, which, without me saying anything, Celeste seems to know.
The Chariot.There’s a decision to be made. I can’t stay caught between two choices. I have to move forward.
As I glance up at Celeste’s pale blue eyes, the scent of roses coming off her is even stronger than before. “I made a decision, though. I sold the brothel, and I’m building a new business. I have a new direction. New purpose.”
She tilts her head to the side. “You made that decision in the past. You have a new one to make. The winds of change cannot be denied. I felt it yesterday, girl, and I feel it even stronger today.”
She flips over a couple more cards to represent my past, and they’re accurate enough to tell me the reading isn’t nonsense. There’s something here, and I need to pay attention. When she gets to outside forces, she flips over the King of Pentacles.
“Ahhh,” Celeste says with wonder underlying her tone. “And here we have a male figure. You rarely have these in your readings.” She lifts her chin and tips her head to study me. “Do you know who he is?”
My first instinct is to retreat into being cagey. “Should I know?”
“Don’t play games with me, Magnolia Marie. This is too important. You know exactly who he is, because he’s offering you prosperity and security.”
I swallow the lump rising in my throat the moment she reinforces the gravity of the situation. Softly, I admit, “I know who he is.”
She sways and runs her left hand over a crystal. “There’s resistance. Is it one of your former clients offering to make your life free and easy, all for the price of doing whatever he wants?” That scenario has presented itself plenty of times, but that’s not what’s going on now.
“No. I don’t know why he’s here or what he wants. At least ...” I glance down at the card on the table, focusing on the man on his throne. “At least, I don’t believe what he claims he wants is true.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t have anything left to give him.” I choke on the last word, shocked to realize I’m near tears.
What the hell is going on with me?
I clear my throat and straighten my shoulders.
I do not show weakness.
But old Celeste sees right through me. “Child, you have so much light to shine on this world, but only if you don’t blow out your flame. Protect it. Nurture it. Getting burned is a risk, but being in the dark is much worse.”
When she flips the next cards, the joyful, cheery reading I’d naively hoped I would receive is completely dashed.
I release a heavy sigh as I tap the Tower card. “Jesus Christ.”
Celeste glances up at me as she gives me a lopsided smile. “Don’t see only the bad. See the change that’s coming. I sensed it yesterday, and there’s no doubt in my mind it’s coming and that it will manifest soon. It’s time. You can’t keep going on as you have been.”
I tip my head back, staring at the ceiling above me, blinking at the burn behind my eyes. If Celeste were anyone else, I’d get up from the table, walk out, and dismiss the whole thing as garbage. But I can’t. I feel it too.
Moses’s words echo in my head.“I’m here for you, Mags. That’s the only reason I’m back.”
He has the power to change everything, whether I want to admit it or not. One small part of me—the part that drew me to the damn window yesterday morning, looking for those glowing green eyes, believes he speaks the truth.
What are his motives, though?
I’m not making any decisions until I figure them out.Trust nothing and no one. That’s been my motto for so long, I’m not sure it’s possible to change.
Celeste strokes the back of the final card, still facing down. “Are you ready for the last one?”
I give her a go-ahead gesture, but if I’m being honest with myself, I’m not ready. Not at all.
As soon as she flips it, I bolt to my feet.
